The Leicester Mercury has stood by its decision to publish photos of a “sexual predator” in defiance of police.

Leicestershire Police issued a request to local media outlets urging them not to publish photos of jailed Ajay Jetha, who carried out a serious sex attack on a young boy, as the victim’s family told officers doing so would cause “extreme distress”.

The force said in a statement: “We all have a social responsibility, and that includes supporting victims of crime.